POSTDOC | NIGMS Workshop Prepares Postdocs for Independent Careers

FASEB Opens Registration for NIGMS Workshop to Prepare Postdocs for Independent Careers
DEADLINE November 30, 2011

Bethesda, MD - On behalf of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) is organizing the 2012 Workshop for Postdocs Transitioning to Independent Positions on March 12-13, 2012 at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health, will deliver the keynote address.

While the transition to independence is a challenge for all postdocs, young investigators who are members of groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical or behavioral sciences may have an especially difficult time finding and establishing themselves in their first independent positions. To prepare early career investigators of diverse backgrounds for this transformation, the Workshop will bring together 150 postdocs (including a small number of senior graduate students) and a distinguished group of outstanding researchers, prominent scientific administrators and nationally recognized career development experts to discuss key issues related to the cultivation of a successful career in science.

 Topics to be covered will include:

•  Career planning
•  Job application process
•  Funding resources
•  Grant writing
•  Establishing a lab
•  Work/life balance
•  Non-bench careers

The Workshop is intended for postdocs, however senior graduate students (within one year of completion of Ph.D. study) will also be considered, space permitting.
 
To download the Workshop application, please go to http://nigmsworkshop.org. Participants will be required to pay a $25 registration fee upon selection, however all eligible applicants (those not receiving federal funding and other criteria) who are selected to participate will receive travel awards (maximum $1,250). The deadline for registration is November 30, 2011.

For more information regarding meeting logistics, contact Meeting Assistant Danielle King, dking@faseb.org.

FASEB is composed of 24 societies with more than 100,000 members, making it the largest coalition of  biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB enhances the ability of scientists and engineers to improve—through their research—the health, well-being and productivity of all people. Our mission is to  advance health and welfare by promoting progress and education in biological and biomedical sciences through service to our member societies and collaborative advocacy.

POST ITS | Post It Notes Can Help Improve Your Teaching

Simple Post-its for Teaching Improvement

       by Heather M. Whitney (Originally posted on ProfHacker via
       Chronicle of Higher Education)

What we do and don’t recall easily is a funny thing. I’ve learned a lot of helpful information, science and teaching-wise, at the conferences I’ve attended, but some sticks in my mind without the help of notes and some doesn’t.

One bit of information I recall most readily is a handy tip I learned from attending GradSTEP (Graduate Student Teaching Event for Professional Development) at Vanderbilt University, literally days after I defended my Ph.D. During one of the sessions, a panelist, very new to the professoriate herself, mentioned that immediately after each class, before she does anything else or even touches her computer, she takes a large 5×8″ sticky note and writes down what did or didn’t work well in that class period. She sticks that to her papers from the class and then uses that note the next time she teaches the course to improve her teaching.

Read on for how post its help and find other tips HERE.

CLICK, SCAN & LEARN | Key Sites for Information on Academic Careers

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The links below provide information and insight into the skills needed to advance in an academic career. Click, Scan and Learn:

• Chronicle of Higher Education
• Inside Higher Education
• Diverse Issues in Higher Education
• AAUP
• PhDs.org Academic Career
• NSF: Employment Statistics Following the Postdoctorate Experience
• Career Outlook for Researchers in Academia
• Professor of Desperation (washingtonpost.com)
• National Postdoctoral Association

Courtesy National Postdoctal Association

 
 

POSTDOC | 2012 Kauffman Foundation Emerging Postdoctral Entrepreneur Award

Nominations Open for the Kauffman Foundation  Postdoctoral Entrepreneur Awards

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2012 Kauffman Foundation Outstanding Postdoctoral and Emerging Postdoctoral Entrepreneur awards. The awards recognize exceptional former and current postdocs who are working to commercialize research. The awards will be presented at the NPA 10th Annual Meeting, March 16-18, 2012, to be held at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco. The Outstanding Postdoctoral Entrepreneur will receive a $10,000 honorarium and a travel stipend. The Emerging Postdoctoral Entrepreneur Award will receive a $2,500 honorarium and a travel stipend. To read detailed eligibility requirements and application instructions, click here.

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The Kauffman Foundation Seeks Your Input

The Kauffman Foundation is seeking input on a curriculum currently being developed for a life sciences entrepreneurship conference. The curriculum is being developed to help entrepreneurs in the life sciences transform their ideas and discoveries into commercially viable products or services. The content will initially be presented during a 2-day conference in 2012. Please complete the survey here to help in establishing the educational needs of today's life science entrepreneur.

FACULTY POSITION | Northern Arizona University

Position Available: Assistant Professor

Department: Psychology

Northern Arizona University’s Psychology Department and the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Native American Cancer Research Partnership invite applications for a tenure-track appointment beginning August 2012 for an Assistant Professor position (subject to final budgetary approval).

For the first two years of the appointment, the faculty member will be funded by the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Native American Cancer Research Partnership grant and devote 100% of their workload to building a research program related to the goals of the grant. During this time, the position is a 12-month appointment. More information about this grant is available at http://www.nacp.nau.edu. Duties will consist exclusively of research on health disparities in tribal nations, with a focus on cancer. Starting in the third year of the appointment, the position will transition to a combination of research and teaching within the Department of Psychology, and become an academic year appointment. Teaching responsibilities will be comparable to other faculty of similar rank, typically consisting of a combination of undergraduate and graduate courses. Teaching load is also negotiable contingent on the candidate’s success in obtaining external funding.

A Ph.D. in Psychology or closely related field (degree must be completed by the start date of the position) and college teaching experience is required, and evidence of scholarly productivity within the field of behavioral health research or psychology research with clear relevance to cancer control and prevention.

Preference will be given to candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to and evidence of scholarly productivity. Preferred health-related research topics include but are not limited to: social and/or cultural factors; screening; adherence; lifestyle interventions; prevention including cancer education; patient experience; and caregiving. Preference is given to candidates with demonstrated experience, expertise, and/or interest in Native American communities. Preference is also given to candidates with demonstrated excellence in teaching of undergraduate and graduate students, supportive of a civil work environment and interdisciplinary efforts, and who are committed to working effectively within a diverse university community.

The 22-person Psychology Department oversees an undergraduate program with about 800 majors and masters-level graduate programs. Northern Arizona University is a 25,000-student institution with its main campus in Flagstaff, a four-season community of about 65,000 at the base of the majestic San Francisco Peaks. NAU’s emphasis on undergraduate education is enhanced by its graduate programs and research as well as distance learning. The university is committed to a diverse and civil working and learning environment. The Department encourages applications from individuals with a commitment to creating a welcoming educational environment for students from all ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history verification and degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. Candidates may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Review of applications will begin October 1, 2011 and continue until the position is filled or closed.

To apply, send a cover letter describing your research interests; evidence of scholarly productivity and teaching competence; curriculum vita; unofficial transcripts of all college-level work, and names and contact information for three professional references. Please send all materials to the Search Committee (Department of Psychology, Northern Arizona University, Box 15106, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011-5106). Official transcripts will be required prior to an on-campus interview. No on-line applications will be accepted. Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For further information, see our website at: http://www.nau.edu/~psych.

FACULTY POSITION | University of Maryland, College Park

University of Maryland, College Park

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS)

Joint Program in Survey Methodology

Title:   Open Rank Professor 

Level:                       Assistant / Associate / Full Professor

Position Number:     117701

Unit:                         BSOS - The Joint Program in Survey Methodology

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:         

The Joint Program in Survey Methodology (JPSM) seeks applications for an open rank faculty appointment from persons with research interests in survey statistics or survey methodology.  The JPSM is a graduate degree program teaching state-of-the-art principles and practices in the design, conduct, analysis and evaluation of sample surveys.  The JPSM is a consortium of the University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Westat and federal statistical agencies.  Responsibilities include graduate teaching, research, and supervising graduate students.  Research interests could include areas such as sample design, variance estimation with complex sample designs, weighting and imputation, confidentiality protection, model-based vs. design based inference, measurement error in surveys, small area estimation, mode effects, interviewer-respondent interaction, cognitive aspects of survey methodology, use of paradata, and question wording or context effects.  Doctorate in statistics, biostatistics, psychology, sociology, or a related field is required.  Applicants for a tenured appointment should have a strong public record in sampling, survey statistics, or survey methodology commensurate with rank sought.  A strong record in funded research is also desirable.

Apply online via the University of Maryland job website: https://jobs.umd.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp.  Click on "Search Postings" and select "BSOS-Joint Program in Survey Methodology" in the Unit dropdown box.  Include a cover letter, CV, and names of three references.  Applications are now being considered and will continue to be until the position is filled.  For more information email Dr. Richard Valliant at rvalliant@survey.umd.edu.  The University of Maryland is an EEO/AA Employer. Women and minorities encouraged to apply.  Detailed information concerning JPSM and its programs can be found on the web at www.jpsm.org.

Minimum Qualifications:        Ph.D. in Statistics, Survey Methodology, or related field.

Preferences:     Highest level of productivity

PFF Fall Symposium | November 11, 2011

IUPUI Preparing Future Faculty Program announces its Fall Symposium, Preparing for the Academy, Friday, November 11, 2011 at the University Place Conference Center. The one-day symposium offers graduate students, post docs, and faculty from a multitude of disciplines an opportunity to learn and interact with peers and colleagues from IUPUI, Indiana University School of Medicine, Butler University, Rensselear Polytechnic Institute and The Ohio State University. Topics of panel discussions include How the Academy Really Works, Transitioning into the Professoriate, Faculty Considerations such as Legal Issues with Technology and Promotion and Tenure along with Mentoring and Professional Growth.  Small group, interactive roundtables will allow participants to craft a successful candidate statement or hone an in-progress proposal. A keynote luncheon features Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, who earned tenure by age 30.  Dr. Strayhorn will offer advice and commentary on being a Quick Starter in Academia.

There is no cost to participate. Register online at https://www.research.net/s/PFF.  In order to participate in the complimentary meals and reception, please register by Thursday, November 10, 2011.  There will be limited on-site registration available on the day of the event.  For a full agenda and list of speakers, visit HERE.

IUPUI PFF Scholars will receive:

3 Professional Development (O) units for attending the full day symposium, or

1 (O) unit for attending the luncheon only. 

1 Teaching (T) unit for attending the interactive Roundtables on Crafting a Successful Candidate Statement or Writing to Win-Publishing and Proposals. 

New Program Plan Activity | Conveying Messages with Graphs

Conveying Messages with Graphs When: Thursday, September 22, 2011 | 01:30 PM-03:00 PM Where: University Library, Lilly Auditorium Presenter: Jean-luc Doumont Although widely used in research to analyze data and to communicate about them, graphical displays are still poorly mastered by researchers, who often use the wrong graphs or use them in the wrong way (and popular software does not exactly help). Based on Dr. Doumont's book Trees, Maps, and Theorems: About Effective Communication for Rational Minds,the lecture discusses how to select the right graph for a given data set and a given research question, how to optimize the graph's construction to reveal the data, and finally how to phrase a useful caption. An engineer from the Louvain School of Engineering and PhD in applied physics from Stanford University, Jean-luc Doumont now devotes his time and energy to training engineers, scientists, business people, and other rational minds in effective communication, pedagogy, statistical thinking, and related themes. Articulate, entertaining, and thought-provoking, Dr. Doumont is a popular invited speaker worldwide, in particular at international scientific conferences, research laboratories, and top-ranked universities. For additional information about Jean-luc Doumont, visit Principiae.be Register at http://ctl.iupui.edu/events/eventsRegistration.asp?id=2585 This ievent is eligible for 1 T unit.  For additional PFF programs and activities, view the PFF Program Plan available here.

PFF Orientation | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 4-5pm, Campus Center 268

We look forward to see you this Wednesday!

 

The Preparing Future Faculty program orientation will take place on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 4-5pm, Campus Center 268. The orientation provides an overview of the PFF program, expectations and calendar of events.

Who: Current IUPUI advanced graduate students interested in participating in the PFF program and current IUPUI PFF Scholars needing to complete an orientation session.

What: Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) is a program designed to introduce advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to the full range of professional responsibilities in research, teaching, and service that will be encountered in the academy.
When: Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 4pm – 5pm
Where: IUPUI Campus Center, Room 268420 University Blvd.Indianapolis, IN 46202
Why: Participating in a PFF orientation is a requirement to completing the PFF program and receiving a certificate of participation.


Register Here

A Postdoc's Guide to Pregnancy and Maternity Leave

The National Postdoctoral Association's ADVANCE project has developed a new online resource, “A Postdoc’s Guide to Pregnancy and Maternity Leave,” that may be of use to women postdoctoral scholars in your community. The guide provides general information on pregnancy and maternity leave for postdocs, including tips on keeping your research going and talking with your postdoctoral supervisor.

The guide covers such topics as: Research Concerns for your Pregnancy; Maternity Leave and Federal Funding Guidelines; and Making a Maternity Research Plan.

You can find it here: http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/publications/563-maternity-guide

Planning for pregnancy and maternity leave can present an array of complexities for postdocs due to the position’s temporary nature and the variety of funding sources. The goal of this guide is to provide a postdoc with some initial guidance on how to find the detailed information that may apply to her situation at her institution.

POSTDOC | UCLA Program in Global Health Postdoctral Fellowship Training Program in Global HIV/AIDS Prevention Research

The UCLA Program in Global Health (PGH) is part of the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. PGH offers a Postdoctoral Fellowship Training Program in Global HIV/AIDS Prevention Research, funded by a T32 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

This postdoctoral fellowship focuses on academic training, original research, and professional

development, and is designed to prepare scientists for academic research careers focused on
understanding and preventing HIV disease globally. The fellowship lasts 3 years, and a successful
graduate of the training program will have secured a master's degree (or completed equivalent work); completed at least one major developing country HIV prevention research project; participated in other research projects; made a research presentation in at least one major scientific conference; published as a first author in leading scientific journals, and received a multiyear grant related to HIV prevention in the developing world to take into a first faculty position.

We are currently looking for candidates for this program:
Fields of study/PhD area requirements:  Social/behavioral scientist or a graduate with a doctoral degree from a relevant professional field (such as public health, public policy, nursing, business, law, etc)

Fellowship start date: July 1, 2012

Length of appointment and funding: 3 years

Number of opportunities: 1 per year (project year runs July 1 - June 30)

Location: UCLA (Los Angeles, California) with research sites in developing countries

Application due date: December 31, 2011

Restrictions: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents at the time of fellowship appointment

To apply, please go to:

http://globalhealth.med.ucla.edu/programs/fellowship.html and see the link to the application. Send the completed application form with the supporting documents (see instructions on application) via (hard copies are not necessary) to both:

Greg Szekeres, Deputy Director,

UCLA Program in Global Healthgszekeres@mednet.ucla.edu
Izumi Shitoma, Fellowship Coordinatorm
ishitoma@mednet.ucla.eduFor questions about the fellowship or the application process, please contact Greg Szekeres at gszekeres@mednet.ucla.edu or +1-310-557-3547.

FELLOWSHIP | American Educational Research Association (AERA) fellowships for graduate students and

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) announces its 2012–2013 fellowship programs and funding opportunities for graduate students and early career scholars. These programs provide mentoring and funding support to develop research skills and conduct studies in education related fields and topics. Underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities and women are encouraged to apply. Below are brief descriptions of the AERA research funding opportunities.

 

AERA Grants Program

The AERA Grants Program provides dissertation support and small grants for researchers who conduct studies of education policy and practice using quantitative methods and data from the large-scale data sets sponsored by the National Center for Education Statistics and the National Science Foundation. Application deadline: December 9, 2011.

Minority Fellowship Program in Education Research

AERA offers dissertation support through the Minority Dissertation Fellowship Program in Education Research. This program offers doctoral fellowships to enhance the competitiveness of outstanding minority scholars for academic appointments at major research universities by supporting their conducting education research and by providing mentoring and guidance toward completion of their doctoral studies. Application deadline: December 1, 2011.

AERA-AIR Fellows Program

In collaboration with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), the AERA-AIR Fellows Program aims to build the talent pool of high skilled education researchers experienced in large-scale studies in a major research organization. Fellows will receive mentoring from a diverse group of highly recognized researchers and practitioners in a variety of substantive areas in education. Fellows will hone their skills in all aspects of the research process from proposal development through writing and presentations. Up to three fellows are selected annually for a two-year, rotational position at AIR in Washington, DC. Application deadline: December 1, 2011.

AERA-ETS Fellowship Program in Measurement and Education Research

In collaboration with Educational Testing Service (ETS), AERA offers the AERA-ETS Fellowship Program in Measurement and Education Research. This fellowship is designed to provide learning opportunities and practical experience to recent doctoral degree recipients and to early career research scientists in areas such as educational measurement, assessment design, psychometrics, statistical analyses, large-scale evaluations, and other studies directed toward explaining student progress and achievement. Up to two fellows will be selected for this rotational research position at ETS's facilities in Princeton, NJ. Application deadline: December 1, 2011.

 

Visit http://www.aera.net/fellowships.htm for complete program descriptions and application information.

PFF Alumni Discuss Their PFF Experiences

Want to know if participating in PFF is worth it? 

Does it really help prepare you for academia? 

Watch and listen to what a few PFF Alumni have to say about their experiences.
 

Watch Alumni Discussion

...So what did you think? What do you hope to get from participating in PFF?

Responsible Conduct of Research Series

The IUPUI Preparing Future Faculty Program is pleased to partner with the Office of Research Administration’s Research Ethics, Education & Policy (REEP), IUPUI Graduate Office, UPnGO, GPSP and the IU School of Medicine in presenting the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Series at IUPUI. The fall RCR Series features two programs aimed at key topics of interest to faculty, researchers, and advanced graduate students.  Each RCR program is eligible for one R unit.

Research Misconduct October 19, 2011, 4-6pm, Campus Center 406 (PFF Unit-R)

Research misconduct relates to fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism that may arise during the conduct of research.  Panelists will informally share their experiences, perceptions, and lessons with research misconduct.

Panel:

Dr. Jeffrey Elmendorf 

IU School of Medicine, Associate Professor, Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology

Dr. Jane Williams 

IUPUI, Associate Professor and Acting Chair, Department of Psychology

Nolan Hoffman

IU School of Medicine Graduate Student, Physiology

Register Here

Mentoring: November 6, 2011, 4-6, Campus Center 406

Additional details TBA. Register Here

For additional PFF programs and activities, view the PFF Program Plan available here. 

PFF Orientation | September 21, 2011

Welcome to another year in your academic journey.  The Preparing Future Faculty program orientation will take place on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 4-5pm, Campus Center 268. The orientation provides an overview of the PFF program, expectations and calendar of events.

Who: Current IUPUI advanced graduate students interested in participating in the PFF program and current IUPUI PFF Scholars needing to complete an orientation session.

What: Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) is a program designed to introduce advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to the full range of professional responsibilities in research, teaching, and service that will be encountered in the academy.

When: Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 4pm – 5pm

Where: IUPUI Campus Center, Room 268

420 University Blvd.

Indianapolis, IN 46202

Why: Participating in a PFF orientation is a requirement to completing the PFF program and receiving a certificate of participation.

Register Here 

Fellowship Opportunity